Changes at Krause (F&W)

[Bob Lemke]

What the dismissal of the price guide staff at F+W will mean to the long-term future of the Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards is an open question.

I have nearly finished my additions, corrections, revisions, etc., to the vintage sections for the 2012 edition, which will be published on its usual schedule.

Whether or how new card issues going forward will be added to the catalog's content is information that I am not privy to. Remember, it is book marketing people making these decisions, not hobby people.

[FrankWakefield]

Sad news to me. The Standard Catalog is a great resource for us... maybe they'll find a way to continue with it. Bob, thank you for what you've done for us collectors!

[Leon]

I also want to personally thank you, Bob, for what you have done for us with the vintage cards. The Krause SCD for Baseball cards is an invaluable resource for us in the hobby. I sure hope F+W finds a way to keep it in the lineup. It would be a shame to see it go.

Also, sad to hear TS is leaving. My few conversations with him were good. He took a ton of heat for things that were beyond his control and made the best out of some poor circumstances. I hope he finds a good home in the hobby.

As for the news about Collect.com auctions, I have mixed feelings. It is a crowded market and the folks at the top just didn't give it enough time to get steam up. They had some good people trying very hard to make a go of it. Some form or iteration of that auction could pop up in the future. It seems like they were making some progress, albeit not as fast as needed, I guess. It's a crowded auction market so who knows? It certainly is not as easy as some would think it is, to run an auction.

[benchod]

This is sad news as I enjoyed TS's columns

[Tony Gordon]

I find the Standard Catalog as the most valuable resource in the hobby and really appreciate Bob Lemke's efforts. If it wasn't for that book, I'd still be pulling my hair out trying to learn about the Piedmont Art Stamps I purchased at a flea market back in the late 1970s. TS O'Connell has done excellent work and I hope he continues blogging about the hobby and his experiences. As a vintage collector, I was never a fan of Tuff Stuff. As for SCD, as long as Bob Lemke is on staff, it is worth a read. I also purchased quite a few items from Collect.com and am sorry to hear of its demise. With eBay turning into a dumping ground for reprints and every common issue from 1992, I welcome every and all independent auction sites.

[blades3]

Guys,

There is no demise of Collect.com Auctions. I have launched and ran the business the entire time and I'm currently working (with others) to purchase the assets from F+W Media so there will be a seamless transition. There may be a slight name change and an address change, but that will be the only difference (besides quicker payouts for consignors). The new-and-improved version will have its next big auction from March 22 through April 7, with a consignment deadline of Feb. 12.

As for the rest of it, I'm saddened to see friends leaving the building. Having been at the company for 16+ years, it's difficult to see Tuff Stuff go and SCD continue to get thinner, but it's especially difficult to see someone like TS go. He showed me the ropes when I arrived here and has been a close friend the entire time. I don't post here much but thought I should in this case. Thanks.

Steve Bloedow
director of auctions

[Tony Gordon]

Steve,
Sorry, I didn't intend to express misinformation. I look forward to your future auctions!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by blades3

Guys,

There is no demise of Collect.com Auctions. I have launched and ran the business the entire time and I'm currently working (with others) to purchase the assets from F+W Media so there will be a seamless transition. There may be a slight name change and an address change, but that will be the only difference (besides quicker payouts for consignors). The new-and-improved version will have its next big auction from March 22 through April 7, with a consignment deadline of Feb. 12.

As for the rest of it, I'm saddened to see friends leaving the building. Having been at the company for 16+ years, it's difficult to see Tuff Stuff go and SCD continue to get thinner, but it's especially difficult to see someone like TS go. He showed me the ropes when I arrived here and has been a close friend the entire time. I don't post here much but thought I should in this case. Thanks.

Steve Bloedow
director of auctions

Steve,
I know we have discussed this and I wouldn't have brought it up had someone not already mentioned it. I fully support whatever you do. You are one of the good guys in the hobby and regardless of what you do, I support you in your endeavors. The hobby needs more good guys like yourself!! Good luck and Godspeed.

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by Leon

It certainly is not as easy as some would think it is, to run an auction.

No, it is definitely not easy. Honestly, I thought Tuff Stuff had stopped printing 5-6 years ago.